WCAC

by Chris Wangler

April 19, 2022

In the fall, the Archdiocese of Boston put St. Charles Borromeo church on the market and then added a parking lot nearby in the new year.

According to Father Michael Nolan of St. Mary’s, both properties are now under contract. 

The archdiocese invited bids for the historic church at 51 Hall Street back in November.

In the new year, a church parking lot at the corner of Hall and Taylor Streets was added to the auction sale to sweeten the pot.

Waltham realtor Glenna Gelineau described “explosive” interest involving 500 inquiries in a recent St. Mary’s church bulletin.

“There was serious interest by local and national developers. There was also interest from schools, daycares, community centers and even a museum,” Glenna said. “Interest was shown by for-profit and non-profit entities.”

She said 35 parties expressed real interest in one or both parcels.

Father Michael was mum about the potential buyers, but said he would announce the closings when they happen.

Closed for several years now, the early 20th century Italian renaissance revival church was built in 1922 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

The parking lot roughly a block away is flat and shovel ready. 

The potential is already evident. 

A few years ago, a developer bought the former St. Charles rectory property on Taylor Street next to the parking lot. 

After tearing down the rectory, modern townhouses were built and are now listed for $1.3 million dollars each.

File photos